Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 22 – 23, 2016Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Heads Up!  Conditions are changing with snow and strong SW winds building slab conditions over a weak facetted base.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Significant wind event (Strong SW) transporting available snow to produce touchy wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain in the alpine.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Loose dry avalanches should be expected in steep terrain, and may entrain significant amounts of snow in gully features.

Weather Forecast

10cm of snow possible into the weekend with freezing levels rising to 1900 m on Friday.  Strong SW winds will continue until Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Strong SW winds building slab on top of a weak faceted snowpack on exposed tree line and alpine features.  10 cm of new snow possible will increase the likelihood of touchy new wind slabs on lee aspects. Mid-pack is weak below tree line due to faceting.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday the field team ski cut a size 2 loose dry avalanche in steep terrain that ran 400m and entrained snow. This avalanche condition should be expected in steep terrain at tree line and below.  Touchy slab conditions can be expected below ridge lines in open tree line areas and in the alpine.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday

Regions covered